Some 178 finished pigs were stolen from a farm in the UK, in what is being described as a “professional raid”.

The pigs were reportedly stolen between 6:00pm on Monday, September 11, and 7:00am on Tuesday, September 12, from a farm in Frodsham, Cheshire.

The farmer, Jess Warburton, took to social media to claim that the site was subject to a professional raid.

Warburton alleged that bolt cutters were used to gain access to the shed and loading bay. What is thought to be an articulated lorry (possibly a cattle or sheep truck) was then used to take the pigs.

The thieves knew exactly what they were looking for and took the biggest pigs from the batch.

“The police are involved and have been on site, but clearly the urgency now is trying to identify where the pigs have gone so that we may be able to catch those responsible,” Warburton said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police as soon as possible.

Rural thefts

Rural thefts have also been rampant in Ireland in recent weeks. Last week, a farm in Co. Kildare was robbed with thieves making off with various machinery.

The farm, situated in Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare – close to the border with Co. Wicklow – was robbed last Wednesday night / Thursday morning (September 6/7).

Driving from the road through an unused gate, the criminals avoided the farm’s electric gates. After gaining access to the property, the thieves then loaded a red quad and a yellow Hustler lawnmower into a green Ifor Williams 505 horsebox – before leaving the farm in the same manner.

The Hustler grass mower is a model Super Z 54 – Diesel, while the quad bike in question is a Honda Foreman Hydrostatic 500cc.

The owner, Gary Swift, has appealed for information – offering a cash reward for info leading to the recovery of his property. Anyone with information is asked to contact Kilcullen Garda Station, Co. Kildare on: 045-481212.